Playwright: Charles Mee. At: Circle Theatre, 7300 W. Madison, Forest Park. Phone: 708-771-0700; $20-$24. Runs through: May 3.
Charles Mee can be an infuriating playwright—especially for his first-time audiences.
But you can also see Mee as a loopy master of deconstructionist play writing that spoofs standard theatrical conventions.
Take, for instance, Mee's 2004 comedy A Perfect Wedding, now in its Midwest premiere at Circle Theatre. It's essentially a farce involving a nervous bride and groom, their two mismatched families, two grave diggers and a quartet of ultra-trendy gay wedding planners who could be cousins to the gurus from Bravo TV's canceled reality series Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.
But instead of behaving like real people, Mee's characters are more apt to wander on and spout philosophical platitudes about relationships, marriage and death ( and sing or dance with the slightest prod ) . Instead of keeping the subtext unspoken, characters come right out and say things that normal people would self-censor ( for example, characters deliberately cite nature's pull in the woods to justify their partner-switching passions ) .
A Perfect Wedding fits the bill for adventurous audiences looking for something different. This unconventional piece is also timely since it is largely friendly—if slightly ambivalent—toward the message that all kinds of people should be allowed to form long-lasting marriages ( including gays and lesbians ) .
But if you only want a standard comedy, A Perfect Wedding will be a trying and aggravating experience.
Circle Theatre at least tempers any dissatisfaction with the play itself by putting on a largely diverting production. The large cast of 20 ( ! ) scampers around with purpose and dedication under Joanie Schultz's competent direction, seemingly having a fun time throwing "mud" ( damp scads of fabric ) at each other and executing a complex Bollywood film dance number near the end.
Yet it's clear that some cast members are more adept at illustrating Mee's wacky style than others.
The weaker links are in the main roles of the bride and groom and the bride's parents ( and their respective male lovers ) .
But don't fret, the more compelling actors in smaller roles barge on frequently to whip the audience into titters of laughter.
Though they play blatant gay stereotypes, John Taflan, Shawn Quinlan, Jackson Evans and Chris Daley steal every scene they're in as the wedding planners. More diverting work comes from Toni Lynice Fountain and D'wayne Taylor as the bickering groom's parents.
Costume designer Jessica Kuehnau keeps pace with Mee's multicultural costume demands, while Bob Knuth's panels of lace and white cut-out trees frame everything nicely.
A Perfect Wedding is sure to divide audiences due to Mee's unconventional approach and self-aware dialogue. Circle's production of A Perfect Wedding may not win over too many Mee converts, but it is definitely a good, solid effort.